Copy-holder.



No. 795,104. PATENTED JULY 18, 1905.

COPY HOLDER.

APPLIOATIONTILBD MAR. 27, 1905.

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man!" I \\\\\\\\\\\\\\l m ENT I? WITNESSES. 3 1 0 NITED STATES Patented July 18, 1905.

JAY (JOOK, OF OELWEIN, IOWA.

COPY-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 795,104., dated July 18, 1905.

Application filed March 27, 1905. Serial No. 252,184.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J AY COOK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Oelwein, in the county of Fayette and State of Iowa, have invented a new and Improved Copy- Holder, of which the following is a full, clear,

and exact description.

This invention relates to copy-holders, such asused by the operators of type-writing machines for holding notes or copy which is being transcribed.

The object of the invention is to produce a device of simple construction which is especially adapted for holding copy of all kinds in a simple manner.

A feature of the invention is the extensibility of the device and the simplicity of its construction to facilitate its easy operation.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective of the device, showing the same set up as it would be near the type-writing machine. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the device. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially upon the line 3 3 of Fig 2, and Fig. 4 is a detail section taken in a substantially vertical plane through an adjustable sleeve which carries the linemarker.

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 represents a substantially rectangular frame comprising oppositely-disposed side bars 2 2 with elongated openings 3 at the sides thereof. These openings 3 are formed at the sides of intermediate side bars 4:, which are most clearly shown in Fig. 2. At substantially the central portion of the frame the horizontal bars 5 5 thereof are connected by center bars 6, placed parallel, as shown, and a slight distance apart, so as to form an elongated opening 7. The space between the openings 3 '3 and the central opening 7 is preferably covered by sheets or face-plates 8, preferably of a light metal or similar material.

The frame 1 is adapted to be set upon a table like an easel. For this purpose it is provided at its back with an easel-brace 9 of common construction, the upper extremity whereof is attached by clips 10 to the upper horizontal bar 5.

Upon the forward side of the lower horizontal bar 5 a base-plate 6 is attached, the

same being preferably composed of wood and projecting forwardly from the frame, so as to constitute a shelf. The upper face of this baseplate is preferably provided at its central point and at its left side with grooves 11 11, the purpose of which will appear more fully hereinafter.

In the angle Where the base-plate 6 unites with the frame I provide a clamp 12, which consists of an elongated angle-plate reinforced on its outer side by a bar 13, disposed transversely of the frame, as shown. Preferably at substantially its central point the angleplate is provided with an opening 14., at which point a hook 15 is attached to the bar. The shank of this hook projects through the opening 1A to the rear side of the frame, at which point it attaches to a coiled spring 16, the outer extremity of which spring is attached to a wire bracket 17, which projects backwardly from the frame, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. To the under side of the horizontal flange 18 of the angle-plate 12 a draw-bar 19 is attached, which lies in the central groove 11, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1, the forward extremity of said draw-bar being formed into a handle 20, which facilitates the drawing outwardly of the angleplate when it is desired to clamp the lower edge of a sheet of copy upon the face of the holder. The mode of operation of these parts will be described more fully hereinafter.

Inorder to provide arrangement for holding the copy at its upper edge, I provide an upper clamp 21. This clamp comprises two short studs 22 and 23, disposed in the central opening 7 as indicated, the forward extremity of the stud 23 being disposed substantially flush with the face-plates 8, while the upper stud 22 has a projecting extremity 24, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

As indicated most clearly in Fig. 3, between the studs 22 and 23 a clamping-frame is provided, which frame is preferably constructed of wire, as indicated in Fig. 1. As shown inFig. 3, the frame is provided with a rearwardly-projecting finger 26, to which a coiled spring 27 attaches. This coiled spring extends rearwardly and has its rear extremity attached to an anchor 28. This anchor is preferably constructed of wire, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, and is preferably provided with a substantially triangular head 29, which is adapted to engage the rear portion of the clamp 21, so as to maintain a tension in the spring 27. The wire frame 25 is adapted to lie flat against the face-plates 8 in such a manner as to secure the upper edge of a sheet of copy lying upon the face-plates, as will be readily understood.

It should be understood that the force of the spring 27 operating upon the frame and the body of the upper clamp affords means for maintaining this clamp in position frictionally. At the same time the projecting extremity 24 of the stud 22 affords means for sliding the frame 25 and its contiguous parts up or down, as may be desired.

As indicated most clearly in Fig. 2, the side bar 2 of the frame 1 is provided with a rackbar or rack 30,and this rack-bar passes through a movable sleeve 31, which is slidably mounted upon the side bar 2, as shown. This sleeve preferably comprises a body 32, which is covered by a movable plate 33, said plate being attached by means of hooks 34, as indicated in Fig. 1. Within the sleeve 31 a pinion 35 is arranged, the teeth whereof mesh with the teeth of the rack 30, and this pinion is attached to a spindle 36, which projects outwardly, as indicated, said spindle being provided with a thumb-head 37, enabling the sleeve to be raised and lowered, as will be readily understood. I provide a frictional resistance which prevents the sleeve from descending by gravity and which enables the sleeve to maintain itself at any point to which it may be adjusted. For this purpose between the outer wall of the sleeve 31 and the outer edge of the bar 2 I provide a leaf-spring 38, which operates to maintain a substantial frictional contact between the parts. This sleeve 31 is provided on its rear side with a bracket 39, upon the outer face whereof a post or hub 40 is formed, the said post being provided with a transverse bore receiving a short arm 41, which passes through the hub, as shown. Arrangement is made for clamping this arm 41 in any position desired, for which purpose a set-screw 42 is provided at the outer extremity of the post. The arm 41 makes a joint or knuckle connection 43 with a marker 44, which normally ex-' tends substantially horizontally across the forward face of the holder, as shown most clearly 1n Fig. 1. v

[sists of a metal rod formed in sections 45, at-

This marker 44 preferably contached to telescoping sleeves 46,which render the marker extensible, as will be readily understood. As shown in the drawings, the sleeve 31 is preferably attached at the right of the holder, this being the most convenient point.

The' left bar 2 of the frame is provided with an extension-frame 47, the construction of which is shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. It is preferably formed of'wire, comprising a body 48, formed integrally with lateral extensions or arms 49, said extensions being slidably mounted in guide-brackets 50, attached to the horizontal bars 5 5 of the frame upon the rear side thereof, as shown. At its lower portion the body 48 of the frame is provided with an offset extension or handle 51, which supports the lower edge of copy of unusual width.

The mode of operation will now be described.

When the device is being used to hold copy of the usual width, none of the parts would be extended. In order to insert the copy, the marker 44 would be rotated back upon its hinge connection 43, so as to enable the sheet of copy to be placed against the forward face of the holder. The handle 20 would then be pulled outwardly in such a manner as to move the angle-plate 12 forwardly, extending the spring 16, as will be readily understood. The angle plate or clamp 12 having been moved outwardly, the lower edge of the sheet of copy would be set in position upon the upper side of the base 6, and the clamp 12 would then be allowed to return. It would of course operate to hold securely the lower extremity of the sheet. The upper clamp 21 would then be lowered upon the upper edge of the sheet of copy, the frame 25 being pulled forwardly and applied to the edge of the sheet, so as to hold the same, as will be readily understood. The marker 44 would then be returned to its normal horizontal position across the front of the copy and would be adjusted by means of the thumb head 37. As the transcribing progressed the marker would of course be moved downwardly line by line until the sheet was finished.

When a sheet of copy of extraordinary width is to be held, the extension-frame 47 would be slid outwardly, as shown in Fig. 1. If it seemed desirable, the clamps 12 and 21 may be mounted in the opening 3, which lies adjacent to the bar 2. In order to move the lower clamp 12, the spring 16 would be dis connected and the angle-plate 12 moved bodily toward the left. The draw-bar 19 would be inserted in the groove 11 at the left and the spring 16 would be attached to a bracket 17 (shown in Fig. 2,) which is similar in construction to the bracket 17 near the base of the central opening 7. The upper clamp 21 would be removed by pulling the anchor 28 rearwardly and twisting the head 29 so as to enable the same to be passed through the space between the studs 22 and 23, in this way disconnecting the body of the upper clamp from the frame 25. The body of the clamp would then be inserted in the opening 3 at the left and the anchor and frame attached in the same relation as before.

Evidently the easel-brace 9 afiords means for supporting the frame 1 of the holder in a slightly-inclined position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A copy-holder comprising in combination, a frame constituting a back adapted to support a sheet of copy, a base-plate projecting forwardly from said frame, a movable angle-clamp supported on said base-plate and located in the angle between said base-plate and said frame, and means for resiliently pressing said clamp inwardly.

2. A copy-holder comprising in combination, a frame adapted to hold a sheet of copy, a movable clamp adapted to secure said sheet, means for attaching said clamp to said frame in a substantially central position, and means for attaching said clamp to said frame in a laterally-removed position with said clamp projecting laterally from said frame.

3. A copy-holder comprising in combination, a frame presenting an elongated opening therethrough, and a movable clamp mounted in said opening, having a frame transversely disposed upon the face of said holder and adapted to engageasheet of copy placed thereupon.

4. A copy-holder comprising in combination, a frame having an elongated opening disposed substantially centrally therein, a second opening disposed laterally upon said frame, and a movable clamping-frame adapted to be mounted in either of said openings, and extending transversely of said frame.

5. A copy-holder comprising in combination, a frame having an elongated opening therethrough, and adapted to support a sheet of copy, a movable clamp mounted in said opening and comprising a frame disposed upon the face of said first frame, an anchor disposed behind said first frame, and a spring connecting said anchor with said second frame and resiliently maintaining said second frame in position.

6. A copy-holder comprising in combination, a frame, a rack carried thereby, a movable sleeve mounted on said frame and having a rotatable pinion meshing with said rack, said pinion being adapted to adjust said sleeve, a spring in connection with said sleeve and maintaining frictional pressure between said sleeve and said frame, and a marker carried by said sleeve and projecting across said frame.

7 A copy-holder comprising in combination, a frame, a rack carried thereby, a movable sleeve mounted on said frame and having a rotatable pinion meshing with said rack, said pinion being adapted to adjust said sleeve, a spring in connection with said sleeve and maintaining frictional pressure between said sleeve and said frame, an arm rigidly carried by said sleeve, and a marker-bar jointed to said arm and projecting across the face of said frame.

8. In a copy-holder in combination, a frame adapted to support a sheet of copy, a baseplate projecting forwardly from the lower portion thereof and having a substantially central groove inthe upper face thereof, said base-plate'further having a second groove near one extremity thereof, an angle-clamp attached to the point of connection of said frame and said base-plate, means for constraining said angle-clamp against said frame, and a draw-bar attached to said angle-clamp and adapted to occupy either of said grooves.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAY COOK. Witnesses:

DAN NAGEL,

THoMAs SMITH. 

